UN Chief Guterres Raises Alarm on Venezuela Instability, Questions US Operation Legality

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over potential instability in Venezuela and the legality of the US operation to capture President Nicolas Maduro.
• The US stated it conducted a "surgical law enforcement operation" against Maduro and Cilia Flores on drug charges, denying any plans to occupy Venezuela.
• Guterres highlighted that the US operation might not comply with international law, specifically UN Charter Article 2(4) on refraining from force against territorial integrity.
• Venezuela's UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada denounced the US action as an "illegitimate armed attack" and asserted the country's constitutional order was preserved.
• Russia, China, and Colombia condemned the US military action as illegal, while a formal Security Council action is unlikely due to the US veto power.

Why It Matters: UN chief warns of Venezuela instability and questions US operation's legality amid international condemnation.